Paul Owen Lewis - Art

Paul Owen Lewis
Author and Illustrator

Carvings

Like most artists I work in a variety of artforms. Switching occasionally helps to keep things interesting, and my inspiration fresh in each. Writing and illustrating books is only about a third of my creative output. Another third of my time is spent carving in traditional Northwest coast Native style. This last year or so I completed two major projects, a 13 foot Haida style totem pole, and a bentwood chest.

Shaping The Log	Transfering The Design	Starting To Carve
Halfway There	Raising The Pole	Finished And In Place

The pole crest figures above are: killer whale on the bottom, a human in the middle (I like to think that’s Storm Boy), and raven with three watchmen on top.

The chest below has abstracted frog forms on the front (representing Frog Girl) and killer whale forms on the back (for Storm Boy). Do you see them?

Bentwood Chest - Front

Detail of Front

Detail of Back

Bentwood Chest - Back

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